Cerin, an assistant contract manager with Homes Tasmania, provides advice to people on the services that are available to them. A key part of this role is responding to written requests for assistance.

“People are in heartbreaking situations and need to be housed. I help through the advice I can give in my correspondence back to them,” she said.

“Through my work, I look at individual circumstances and see how I can advocate on behalf of the applicant.

Some of the most important advice is encouraging them to be in contact with Housing Connect, Tasmania’s front door for housing assistance, for advice and support on their housing options.

“No one wants to be homeless or waiting for social housing, but I always say to contact Housing Connect so they can put you in contact with a support worker.”

Housing Connect has recently introduced new ways of working which now provides support shaped for each person’s individual circumstances and life stage.

Cerin recognises that available housing options are often stepping stones towards the stability of getting their own home and a job.

“It’s important to acknowledge that everyone’s circumstances are individual. Everyone’s pathway to stable housing is different. That’s why I provide alternatives,” she said.

“I look at situations and think that if my circumstances changed now, or if I lost my job this could be me, and what advice would I want if I was in this situation.”

Cerin says that her manager always reminds her ‘this is important and meaningful work we are doing for Tasmania’s most vulnerable people’.

“I think people are empowered when they know they are being heard. At the end of the day people want to be heard.

Cerin knows firsthand what it is like to be waiting for housing, as her mother was on the social housing waitlist in NSW, so as a child Cerin moved a lot while the family was waiting to be allocated a home.

“At any point we could have been homeless,” she said.

“There is a very real stigma about people facing homelessness and those who live in social housing. At the end of the day, it could be any of us.”